Jimi Griffin

Vincent Joseph “Jimi” Griffin, Jr. passed away in his home in Grand Prairie, TX, on Monday, June 20, 2016. Jimi was born on August 31, 1975, in Georgetown, TX, to Kay Byrd and Vincent Griffin, Sr., and was raised primarily in Pottsboro, TX. Jimi was the co-owner of the 360 Jiu-Jitsu Academy with his friend, brother, and business partner Casey Gray. Founded in 2012, Jimi worked tirelessly to grow the Academy into a successful Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu establishment. Himself an undefeated MMA fighter, Jimi had won multiple tournaments en route to his black belt. As a coach, he was always there for his students, supporting and challenging them every day. Jimi met the love of his life in 1995, sharing a dance with Nancy to Sinead O’Connor’s “Nothing Compares to You.” They married in 1996, and their daughter Marissa soon followed. A devoted father and husband, Jimi made sure both were loved and protected every day. In his spare time, he played one of his many guitars and wrote songs. He also had a passion for all things Star Wars. Whether dressing up at conventions or still sleeping in themed sheets, Jimi was a geek for Star Wars in every sense of the word. Jimi was a big kid with an infectious smile that was never absent. Though a fighter by trade, you would never find anyone as peaceful, kind, loyal, and selfless, always willing to give you the shirt off his back or use his handyman skills to fix any issue around a friend’s house. Jimi is survived by wife Nancy Griffin and daughter Marissa; parents Kay and Vincent; sister Mindy Klein and husband Greg; brother Larry Jo Johnson; sister Shelly Vandeveer; sister Gina Yasuda and husband Myles; and brother Richard Moore and wife Ginger. His memory also lives on in parents Toni and John Warder, Casey Gray and wife Nicole and their children, and Bobby Byrd. The memorial service will take place Saturday, June 25, at Guerrero Dean Funeral Home, 500 E Main St., Grand Prairie, TX 75050, from 11:00am to 1:00 pm. Dress code is casual, and cosplay is encouraged, as are Gi’s. Formal attire is strictly prohibited. A father, husband, brother, coach, and friend, Jimi will be terribly missed. The Force will be with him, always.

Jimi Griffin

August 31, 1975 - June 21, 2016